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Cameroon |
JUSTICE
The fire at Nsam in Yaounde in 1998, killed more than 200 people.
Not a
single thing has been done to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy,
despite
all the time the state has had to consider the matter.
No wonder the victims’
relatives are bitter
On the 14 February 1998, tragedy struck Cameroon. More than 200 people were burnt to death in a huge conflagration at Nsam, a district of Yaoundé, the capital. It’s here that the state petroleum company (the SCDP) has its fuel depot. The population had cautiously began their day. The district is divided in two by a railway track. Along this track, a train of tanker-wagons was manoeuvring to deliver its load of fuel. Suddenly, two of these wagons became derailed, spilling their load of petrol. This was a stroke of luck for the «Zoua-Zoua» (petrol sellers). They couldn’t resist the temptation. Taxi drivers and other joined in the rush to scoop up the precious liquid. Suddenly here was a huge conflagration. Nearly every one of these lost their lives.
Even today, the causes of that fire are still unknown. There are two versions of what happened. The first has it that a policeman tried to bring the people to order. But these wanted to profit from the last drop of petrol. In the ensuing pandemonium, someone struck a match. The second version holds that the fire was started by a soldier who came to the aid of the boss of the depot.
Whatever the cause, more than 200 people were transformed into human torches running about in all directions. The houses around didn’t escape the conflagration. Once they had arrived on the scene, the fire brigade took all of four hours to put the fire out. Will anyone from that district ever forget the 14th February 1998? — that feast of St. Valentine in the course of which death was the sole mistress. Now, several years on, the pain still remains intense. And the state has done nothing to prevent such a tragedy happening again.
The site should be made safe
The involvement of the Head of State and the government had raised much hope. The National Commission for Petrol Depots (CNDP) has made a number of recommendations to make the lethal site safe. Suggested security measures are on a huge scale: The regrouping of hydrocarbon storage facilities; the improvement of access routes; the construction of new supply depots; the dismantling of dangerous ones, in particular those at Mvolyé and Olezoa which still remain within Yaoundé.
The National Commission for Markets appealed for a credit fund of a million CFA francs to carry out the work. A number of businesses replied, and once the technical and administrative reports had been examined, it appeared that the Cameroon Industrial and Civil Contractors (CIACC) had made the best offer. A system of allocated points determined the success or otherwise of tenders. Out of a maximum 100 points, the CIACC scored 86.5; the Vic — 77; the Chc Ingerop — 74; the Friendlander— 70. When the bids were opened, the CIACC with 3.1 billion CFA francs had made the best offer. According to the rules, the contract should have gone to them.
But once the bid came to the offices of Prime Minister Peter Mafany Musonge, the evaluation of the work was cancelled in favour of another form of enquiry. The SCDP‘s top management were notified of the cancellation of the bids. The matter was leaked out by the Press on 11 September 2000, through La Nouvelle Expression and Mutations newspapers. La Nouvelle Expression reported that the Prime Minister’s decision came from his desire to please his friends. These are a powerful lobby for the Chc Ingerop Company. Through their connections with the President, they were able to force the Prime Minister to give way. Nevertheless, on 17 November, new bids were invited.
Expectations
In the meantime, the grieving families still await a reply to letters they had written to President Biya and Mr.Musonge asking for compensation. «The authorities haven’t shown a single sign of compassion or regret towards the victims’ families; they don’t care two hoots», say the Ayissi Ntsamas. The inhabitants of Nsam are still awaiting a great deal from the Minister of Social Affairs who had promised to see to the survivors’ education, health and social needs. Mr. Ayissi Ntsama states: «The Ministry of Social Affairs tried to bamboozle us, promising to finance micro-projects for the survivors», hence our appeal to the President and the chief executive officers of the companies involved in the disaster. Cimencam Co. replied in the negative. «We regret, we’re unable to give a favourable answer to your demands and suggest you contact the Minister of Social Affairs.... to whom we will address our contributions in good time». The survivors also sought help from the SCDP. Mr Ayissi Ntsama, somewhat bitterly said: «I was surprised to learn that this company had paid out the sum of 2 billion CFA francs and given 120 wooden coffins to bury the dead». His neighbour told him that the government had given a coffin and 200,000 CFA francs to the families of every dead person. But much more practical help had already been given, «so, what have they done with the balance?», wondered the neighbour.
And another thing: People can’t understand why the judicial enquiry following the tragedy is making such slow progress. For those confronted by the tragedy, justice must be done. Certainly it has. But aren’t the conclusions in danger of being lost in a controversial legal file? In any case, as the years pass, Cameroonians still question the circumstances of the fire, and the responsibility. The Commission of Enquiry set up by the Defence Minister, entrusted with shedding light on the catastrophe, has sent a copy of its findings to the Prime Minister, who has not yet made public its findings. Between scepticism and stoicism, «the truth is awaited». Meanwhile in Nsam, the illicit sale of fuel continues, awaiting another catastrophe.
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